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Intelligence 2.0: Reestablishing a Research Program on g in I–O Psychology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2015

Charles A. Scherbaum ,
Harold W. Goldstein ,
Kenneth P. Yusko ,
Rachel Ryan  and
Paul J. Hanges
Charles A. Scherbaum*
Affiliation:
Baruch College, City University of New York
Harold W. Goldstein
Affiliation:
Baruch College, City University of New York
Kenneth P. Yusko
Affiliation:
Marymount University
Rachel Ryan
Affiliation:
Baruch College, City University of New York
Paul J. Hanges
Affiliation:
University of Maryland
*
E-mail: charles.scherbaum@baruch.cuny.edu, Address: Department of Psychology, Baruch College, City University of New York, Box B 8-215, One Bernard Baruch Way, New York, NY 10010
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Abstract

Intelligence (i.e., g, general mental ability) is an individual difference that is arguably more important than ever for success in the constantly changing, ever more complex world of business (Boal, 2004; Gatewood, Field, & Barrick, 2011). Although the field of industrial–organizational (I–O) psychology initially made substantial contributions to the study of intelligence and its use in applied settings (e.g., Hunter, 1980; Schmidt & Hunter, 1981), we have done relatively little in recent times about studying the nature of the intelligence construct and its measurement. Instead, we have focused predominately on using intelligence to predict performance outcomes and examine racial subgroup differences on intelligence test scores. Although the field of I–O psychology continues to approach intelligence at a surface level, other fields (e.g., clinical psychology, developmental and educational research, and neuropsychology) have continued to study this construct with greater depth and have consequently made more substantial progress in understanding this critical and complex construct. The purpose of this article is to note this lack of progress in I–O psychology and to challenge our field to mount new research initiatives on this critical construct.

Type
Focal Article
Information
Industrial and Organizational Psychology , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , June 2012 , pp. 128 - 148
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology 2012 

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